Sybrant Jans, Hendrick Gijsbrechts van Campen, Stephen Benedictus, Femmetgen, Daughter of Egbert, and Welmut, Daughter of Jans

In the year 1535, three brothers and two sisters named Sybrant Jans, Hendrick Gijsbrechts van Campen, Steven Benedictus, Femmetgen, daughter of Egbert, and Welmut, daughter of Jans, were arrested at Hoorn, in West Friesland, because they no longer sought to obey the Roman church, but the commandments of God. When they were examined, they freely confessed their faith, chiefly with regard to baptism. When they were asked whether they had been rebaptized, they answered that they had, saying that they were not sorry for it; that they had been baptized according to the ordinance of Christ, to the remission or burying of their sins, and the putting on of Christ, with the answer of a good conscience toward God. Romans 6, verse 4; First Peter 3, verse 21. The rulers of darkness, seeing that they were not sorry for it, and intended to hold to their faith bravely, sentenced them to death according to the imperial edict, as the following sentence, which they pronounced upon them, clearly shows.

"Whereas M. Anthony Sonck, Bailiff, has entered legal complaint against Sybrant Jans, Hendrick Gijsbrechts van Campen, Steven Benedictus, Femmetgen, daughter of Egbert, and Welmut, daughter of Jans, that, contrary to the written laws, and contrary to our Christian faith, and the edict of his imperial Majesty our most gracious lord, they were rebaptized, without having repented of it, and without having obtained remission for it, therefore we determine that each and all of them have forfeited their lives and property, and that they be executed, namely, the men with the sword, and their bodies to be placed upon the wheel, and their heads upon stakes, and the women drowned with a stone tied to their necks; and desire that the judges pass sentence accordingly."

"My lords of the court, having heard the answer and defense of the aforesaid defendants, by which they openly confess that they were rebaptized, without having obtained remission for it, judge it just, through their sentence, that all the aforesaid persons, according to the edict of his imperial Majesty, and the written laws, have forfeited their lives and property, by virtue of the privileges of this city, and that all are to die, namely, the men to be executed with the sword, their bodies placed upon the wheel, and their heads upon stakes, unless the lords are willing to show them mercy, especially those who renounce and are penitent; and the women to be drowned with a stone tied to their necks or bodies. Passed in the presence of all the judges and three burgomasters, the seventh of June, in the year 1535."

When this sentence had been given, they were led out to death. They went boldly to the place of execution, and among other things said: "The servant is not greater than his master; if they have done this in the green tree, what will they do in the dry," and the like. When they had come to the place prepared for this purpose, they were beheaded. The two women were led to the sea, where stones were tied to their necks, and they were thrown in and drowned. Their bodies were shamefully left to float about for a long time, until the rulers were moved to have them taken out and buried.

Christian reader, here you can clearly see why and for what reasons these people had to die; that what some blind zealots of idolatrous popery say, falsely charge and say, is not true, namely, that no one was put to death because of his religion or faith, but on account of their rebelliousness and crimes. But how falsely and shamelessly they act in this may be judged from this one fact, that in the same year these persons were put to death the siege of Munster took place, and that they were not accused of this wicked crime, much less took part in it. But in this they show the nature of the old Pharisees, who, when they brought Christ to death, did not say that it was on account of His good doctrine that He had to die, but for His blasphemy. This is the way of all tyrants, that, besides inflicting suffering and death upon the innocent, they also heap false accusations upon them. But when the day comes that is to come, they will see whom they have pierced, and say with astonishment: "Behold, these are the ones whom we once held in derision, and a proverb of reproach: we fools counted their life madness, and their end to be without honor: how are they numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints?" Wisdom 5, verses 3 to 5.